Nearly 50 students were recognized for persevering to complete coursework in Pattonville High School's nationally certified biomedical science program. During the school's third annual White Coat Ceremony and Recognition Program, fourth-year students received a laboratory notebook for use in their scientific research and internships, while third-year students received a special white laboratory coat with their name embroidered on it. Second-year students received a
biomedical science department T-shirt. At the end of the program, the entire biomedical class recited the Hippocratic oath before family, friends and colleagues.

In the 2013-2014 school year, Pattonville High School began offering the national Project Lead The Way (PLTW) biomedical sciences program. This program is a rigorous four-course sequence that gives students the opportunity to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, public health and forensic sciences. They examine the structures and interaction of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing challenges of today and the future.

Pattonville's biomedical science program is part of the district's efforts to provide students an opportunity to experience STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, to address the shortage of qualified STEM graduates in the workforce and to recruit women and minorities that are underrepresented in STEM fields. The opportunities in the biomedical program are designed to give hands-on experiences that promote critical thinking, problem solving and creativity while at the same time allowing the students to become excited about biomedicine.

Last year, Pattonville High School became the first high school in the St. Louis region to offer its students the opportunity to earn a Life Science Laboratory Assistant Certification through its biomedical sciences program. In a partnership with St. Louis Community College, students earn the certificate by taking Pattonville's biomedical classes (the last two of which are dual credit/college enrollment classes) and by taking other dual credit college classes such as college-level Algebra and communications. They can then use that certificate to work in the biomedical sciences industry straight out of high school.

Fourth-year students are shown with their lab coats and laboratory notebooks.